How to Rig for Game Fishing

Before you decide to go fishing, it is important to rig your reel and rod. Rig means to string your fishing line onto your reel and rod. In addition, it means you have to tie the rig or lure you plan to use when you go fishing. You have to use artificial lure or live-bait rigs when you game fish. You save time and catch more game fish when you rig everything in advance. 

1. Select the type of fishing reel and fishing rod you plan to use when you fish. If you are hunting for sunfish or perch fish, use a spinning reel and spinning rod combination. If you want to hunt northern pike or bass, use a bait casting combination.


2. Fill your reel with line. Grab your line and then insert the end of it into the tip of your fishing rod. Thread the line in each line guide until the end of your line reaches the reel. You need to wrap the ends of the line twice. Wrap it around your reel's spool. You must tie a knot tightly on the reel's spool, so it will not come loose. Cut 1/8 of line with scissors that extends beyond your tied knot. Turn your reel handle clockwise, so you can fill the reel's spool with line. Once the line is 1/8 inch below the rim, stop turning the reel handle. The tip of your fishing rod needs to hang 1 foot of line, so cut the line. 


3. Determine to type of rig you want to use. If you are targeting crappies, walleyes, perch or similar species, use rigs with live bait. If you are fishing or northern pike, bass or similar species, use artificial bait.


4. Attach the live bait rig to the fishhook, if you are using live bait. Lindy and bobber rigs are commonly used rigs for live bait fishing. For example, if you fish for walleye, use Lindy rig. Lindy rig has a hook, sliding sinker, a swivel and a leader, which is 24 to 36 inches in length. Attach live night crawler, leech or a minnow to your fishhook. Novice anglers use bobber rigs because these rigs are let you know that the fish is biting the rig. Bobber rigs consist of a sinker, hook and the bobber. The bait on the bobber has to be attached 1 foot from the bottom of the line.


5. Select the snap swivel when using artificial bait. Snap swivel allows you to change bait whenever you want without tying your fish line repeatedly. Tie the line on your hook if you decide to use the same bait for a long period.